Injured Ferris to miss New Zealand tour

Stephen Ferris has been ruled out of Ireland's tour to New Zealand next month.

The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed that Ulster flanker Ferris will miss the three-Test trip due to a calf muscle injury suffered during the Heineken Cup final against Leinster at Twickenham eight days ago.

Ferris will be replaced in the squad by Leinster's Kevin McLaughlin.

Dublin-born McLaughlin made his Test debut in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations game against Italy, and also played in last summer's World Cup warm-up game against Scotland.

There are a number of positions still to be filled in Ireland's 29-man tour squad, which will be confirmed after Tuesday's appointment with the Barbarians in Gloucester.

Ireland will meet the All Blacks in Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton between June 9 and 23.